montanapalooza 2002

“I think I would rather hike in w/ the group. Buuuuuut . . . I would be happy to bring cold beer in on Friday. I can't pack anyone's pack out though, they'd have to trade me Newergirl!!!?? LOL! Again, though, if Gojo or Prowler or anyone wants to hike out w/ me on Wed. I would love to have some company. (Aren't there alot of ax murders who DO NOT frequent internet sites in the Beartooths that time of year? These are the sorts of things I start thinking about as I contemplate walking the 10 miles out by myself.)”

“Let me ask again. :)"Hoping that I don't have to, but what if someone needed to hike out on Wednesday, fly out on Thursday?(I would rent a car) Would it be too much to finish the hike to the other trailhead? How many miles would we be talking about? I know it is mostly downhill the last few days. At least that was what I was lead to believe.:)"”

“newgirl,
Chief's idea has merit--the East Rosebud (Alpine) half of the trail is MUCH prettier than the first part of the Cooke City side of the trail. If you are going to do an out and back, the East Rosebud side would be much more interesting.”

“Jgeils, I don't know about hiking to the other trailhead?!? But I would welcome some one coming back out the entrance w/ me.”

“Gearjunkie, I want to hike w/ the whole group though. I think I'm sticking w/ this plan for now.”

“You could hike out Wednesday. The whole trail is about 26-27 miles If you came up the first night (Mon) to Ouzel Lake, that would be 7-8 miles. Tuesday is a short day, 2 miles, so we'd have time up on top to explore. Once you get to the divide, 10 miles from the Cooke City side, at Fossil Lake, I'd guess about 16-17 out to the East Rosebud trailhead to get out. It's downhill, but it ain't that easy. It still can be a grind.”

“I would also like to get someone to buy me maps and send them to me, I'll pay for the cost of the maps and shipping. I'd like to have them the week of the 8th of July if possible. Hey, if I cal call the store and charge them and they will mail them out, that would work too!!

Marty - looked your maps over and our printer crucifies the detail, but one thing I picked up is the elevation - yeah, we'll be at 8k feet or above all the time.

So, I've been above 8 once in Colorado and had a headache for 2 days til I realized I needed to be drinking lots more water - then the headache dissappeared.

What can I expect as a flatlander in the way of Altitude sickness? Is there anything commercially available -over the counter- that might help? Dramamine? Dunno, just asking!!

Your thoughts people??

Tex (300 feet above sea level)”

“newgirl, I wouldn't carry the beer UP the trail. I'd leave it in a cooler at East Rosebud and TELL us it's waiting for us when we get there. Talk about mobilizing a large group!”

“Good point Aero! I'm a little slow on the uptake today. I think the combo. of heat and the smell of ponderosa pine sawdust is getting to me. LOL!”

“I don't think there's anyone flying out before Saturday (7/20) so i doubt there'd be many takers to bomb out by wed. Also, we need to make sure we have enough vehicles at the East Rosebud side to get everyone back. It looks like 16-18 so we'd need about 4 cars at that end. Even when you come out at the trailhead, you're still a longs ways from nowhere.”

“txwoodswoman,
I would expect this will be similar to your Colorado experience.

When I did this trail (flying in from sea level the day before), I had mild headaches and difficulty sleeping the first 2 nights. Also, carrying heavy pack uphill was harder than expected, given my level of physical conditioning. After that, no problems.

Of course, everybody responds to altitude a little differently. I don't know of any OTC treatment other than water and advil.”

“So..about those maps, folks and altitude sickness??

Heck, it's been 15 minutes already!!

Tex”

“Tx, most local hikers use a topo produced here in Billings. They're h2o proof and show the Cooke City area on one side and the E. Rosebud (Alpine) portion on the reverse. It's a 15 minute scale with 80' contours. When I purchased mine
( five years ago ) it was $7.50. I believe it's about the same now.
If you think you'd be interested call The BaseCamp @ 1-406-248-4555 and see if they'll ship you one. I work the next four days or I'd get one out to you. The one that covers this hike is the:
Alpine/Cooke City Quadrangle”

“Did you get my e-mail?”

“Tx, you'll actually have a day to acclimatize (spelling) @ Aero's cabin, so I would think that would help. Not sure if there's anything you can take, or not.

Our youngest son came from L.A. in 2000 to do this same hike and had no problems. I believe the main thing is to be in some kind of hiking condition.”

“And I mean start 3-4 days before the trip. You'll be peeing alot, but that is the best thing to do.

Drink plenty of liquids before, and during the entire trip.”

“Is everyone bringing their gear on their flights, or is anyone shipping it via UPS, etc? Our son insured and shipped his UPS, a good thing too because they lost his luggage. It finally arrived, but not until we were a day into the trip. No gear can sure put a damper on a trip!”

“got it ng!”

“Geezr, writing you an e-mail too. K, okay, got it . . .k. LOL!”

“martyb: got the files that were able to come through and they look great. What program are you using? Did you send these to Crazy Mike? If so I'll have him bring me a copy next weekend. Thanks for trying, but even my other account will not handle 3 meg.”

“Man, you really have to shout to get these old guys to pay attention! LOL!”

“If anyone has trouble as far as bringing stoves on your flights I do have an extra wisperlite 600 white gas stove and bottles I could bring along. If so let me know . . . grach96@hotmail.com.

TX: Crazy Mike has some drugs from his doc for the altitude, so you might want to talk to him bout that. Not sur what they are. I was in RMNP last fall on a very similar trip with el range of 8,500 to 12,500 and no problems.”

“Newgirl, yes kiddo, received! Will respond soon. Right now I'm folding scrubs and getting the bike ready for the commute into work tomorrow.

In short, You're Welcome!”

“Diamox is prescribed for AMS. Its a diuretic, so you'll pee a lot. But if you drink a lot, you'll pee anyway. Same thing.

I saw some kind of diuretic at the drug store that was OTC, in the women's section. Probably the same thing.

I drink lots of Cytomax (electrolyte drink). I've tried gatorade, but its not the same.”

“Uh..please define what that means?

I walk at least 2 miles a day (at sea level) lift weights 2 x a week and mow my lawn with a pushmower that is not self propelled...do ya think that might help?

Does screaming at my boys and chasing them around count for anything in the way of building up my wind??

Questions..inquiring minds want to know -

Thanks for all the advice so far. I'll call that store from home tonight.

Tex”

“Tex, if your boys are anything like mine were, chasing them around should be MORE than enough exercise. You'll do fine.”

“I have a huge, black, army surplus bag I use to bring my pack on trips requiring a flight. I have nicknamed it the "Body Bag" because except for the fact that it's a heavy cotton duffle material, it sure looks like one!

Tex”

“Crazy Mike and drugs . . . now there's a sceery picture. ;-)”

“LOL at Geezr..yeah and if we find he's packing, we're really SOL.”

“hey tex....drink electrolyte drink of your choice like SN suggested. and just take a steady pace the first day out. The first day out last year at llamarama...i kind of just wanted to lay out flat once i reached the campsite at around 10-11K....which i did immediately....didnt get a headache, just felt like all the energy had drained out of my being....and i wanted to just lay out flat and sleep........i had not brought enough snacks... and had just plain water to drink, so that had some to do with it, but once i had some ramen noodles....i felt great and had no trouble the rest of the trip especially after i was reunited with my food stash and gatorade....

hmmm...it would be unfortunate if my gear did not arrive with me on the aeroplain......i would definitely have to make a stop in Pinedale and buy ALL new stuff!! ...kitchen tile will have to wait...heh..”

“Om, thanks for the additional advice can't wait to see ya in less than 3 weeks!!

Om Shanti Om......~~~~~~~

Tex”

“om, I bet we could scrounge up some pretty good gear if yours doesn't arrive.

No need to break the bank...unless you're looking for an excuse to buy more gear!!!”

“There's enough of us you could go "ultralight". heeheehee!

I hear Navi survived when his gear didn't arrive . . . (Llamarama 2001)”

“Om, it was a very dry and miserable 106 degrees here yesterday, so Newergirl and I didn't get a chance to try out the tent. I kept her inside where the heat wasn't such a danger for her tiny self. It is supposed to cool off this wkend, so maybe we can even camp outside for the night. She would love that.”

“Conditions look good for the Beartooths....Yellowstone has been getting lots of rain. By mid-July they're saying the Beartooths would be expected to have "moderate" fire danger, which is pretty normal. we'll probably not want to be building a lot of fires, if any, on the trip. the Forest service kind of discourages it anyway...”

“Yeah, they appear out of nowhere and kick our lily a$$es! Okay, so maybe the MT Forest Service isn't quite that bad a$$, . . . but close.”

“Greetings from Helena MT! Headed for the Glacier NP! Saw me my first griz the other night at trapper lake, thats in the tetons, awesome.
SOOOOOOOO!for the record, Moz and I will be a meetin ya all at Red lodge Cafe on the 14 of july at 9 am. Then headin over to cooke city camp at Aeros cabin and head out Monday. Hope this is correct!
Newgirl-sorry to hear bout your dilemas, clouds follow some of us. I will be carryin my solo tent now, will make it eaiser for me to set up.PLEASE keep Mozart up to speed for I will be a meetin him at Flagg Ranch on the 10th of july. Kinda of difficult to catch a puter in these big sky country, BUT it BEAUTITFUL! Stayed in a backpackers hostel last eve, in Bozman! Different. LOL”

“Hey Jerbear! Sorry I missed you yesterday. I'll try giving you a call later. Isn't MT great?!”

“jerbear, prowlers looking for you. He's heading out west and wants to hook up.

Phone 513-383-7738

You're supposed to call him. See 'Heading Out West' Thread.”

“I've gone and done it!! Bought my plane tickets today, got em for under 290, Whoopeee!!!

Check your email, I sent you my intinerary. Let me know if the times will work for you -

NOW, I am getting excited. THIS IS GONNA ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!

*Grin*

Tex”

“Tex, did you reach BaseCamp concerning the topo? Were they able to help?”

“Start hydrating now, Tex. Don't worry, you will be fine.”

“Hey guys! Can I go too?”

“"by the time we got to woodstock,
we were half a million strong,
and everywhere there was song and celebration.
and i dreamed i saw the bomber jet planes
flying shotgun in the sky
turning into butterflies across our nation....
we are stardust
we are golden
and we got to get ourselves
back to the garden"
joni mitchell/Woodstock”

“Om . . . don't take the brown acid.”

“Ahhh! this is going to be a GREAT TRIP.

HIKING in the OPEN air in Montana, sleeping under the STARS and SKY...

Getting to KNOW NEW people...


Ahhh, life!

Ahhh, love!”

“Ultra - join us if you can, it will be the Trail Talk Trip to remember!

Dan - I've already started hydrating, but, dang, I'm a big water drinker already so I'm wearing a path to the ladies room!

Geezr - haven't called them yet, it's on my "to do" list, along with eleventy hunnert other things..LOL

Now that I've bought my tickets, this is less of a dream and more of a reality..I can't believe I'm going to be hiking MONTANA!!!

Wow, this is too cool for words, Y'all!! (Talk about from one extreme to the other..Texas to Montana..roflmbo)

Tex”

“om

what is it they say
of a man who flew high
too close to the sun
and it burned his wax wings
and he fell to the earth
to his death”

“ugh...what is it they say?....that he should don asbestos wings? :)
btw ..who is "they"?”

“Newgirl - Mozark and I (with assorted munchkins) will be with Jerbear at Red Lodge and be spending the day with you guys on the 14th. If you want to bring your book, I will be happy to help you with your class. If you don't want to carry the book, make copies of the pages you want help with and we'll have a ceremonial burning after we finish. I have been going through withdrawal this summer. No students to torture! LOL”